We recently returned from an amazing 10-day High Family Reunion (my mom's side of the family) in upstate New York! Almost all of my sibs were able to make it out (we missed you Chris!) and many of our east coast family was there too. It was a wonderful and relaxing vacation!
High Family Reunion - August 2010 - Cooperstown, NY
"Some made it 50, others only a mile. Whatever we do, we do with a smile :)"
The reason for the party was celebrating Aunt Sue and Uncle Don's 50th anniversary. What amazing examples :) Words of wisdom: Aunt Sue said 'perseverance' is key to helping your marriage last, and Uncle Don said to make sure you're both headed down the same path.
This is where we stayed...the camp house on Otsego Lake. My mom grew up going to the 'camp house' each summer. Her bedroom walls still have postcards written from my dad to her before they were married, and the bookshelves are lined with ancient books. It has such a great feeling to it. And you are allowed to write on its old wooden walls...some things are dated back to the late 1800's. Otsego Lake is fantastic and it just calls your name every morning and multiple times throughout the day.
The festivities lasted throughout the weekend. It started off with a fancy BBQ at Sue & Don's home with over 200 people. They've been in this same area much of their lives and have served the community so much, I think everyone there knows them. It was fun to look through their old pictures, and see my mom as a bridesmaid at Sue's wedding.
The Drake Family
The chocolate ganache in their cake was SO delicious!
Prince Miles enjoying the cake.
We were spoiled by Don & Sue...they rented a large boat for a couple hours to take the whole family on Otsego Lake aboard The Glimmerglass Queen. It was so generous of them to include free drinks...mmm :) It was a beautiful ride, thank you!
The blonde siblings waiting for the arrival of our boat.
Atop the boat - nice fresh breeze
Aunt Sue and cutie Elliot
Abbie, Anita, & Jim
Maccy & Awepia
Pops & Alethea
Joe & his boys
Sadie, Abbie, & Kyson
Sadie obviously enjoying herself (and her drink :)
The High siblings - Louisa, Sue, & Jim
After the boat ride, it was back to the camp house for a fun, relaxed pizza party. Thanks for making this happen Lisa!
Get-togethers always include a rowdy card game of Pounce!
Mac & Sadie chilling in the hammock.
Emma, Kyson, Abbie, Alethea, and David canoed and kayaked out to Sunken Island - here David and Kyson are messing with the underwater camera.
The weekend progressed and festivities continued on Sunday at the Otesaga Resort Hotel with an amazing brunch. This is the beautiful hotel that Sue & Don held their reception 50 years ago. There was an incredible spread with an omelet bar, waffle bar, dessert bar, fresh fruit, lox, veggies, and I didn't even get over to the lunch bar. My favorite were these delightful mini chocolate mousse pies.
Alethea at the dessert table - this picture doesn't even show the half of it. The bread pudding with vanilla sauce was delightful!
Mom so excited!
Cute Emma savoring chocolate :)
On Monday evening was the annual Florence High Opera Orchestra Concert at the Pierstown Grange Hall, honoring Grandma High. We sure miss having her around!
We got to help set up the hall, and do a little performing of our own.
Dad, Alethea, and Steph harvesting Sue & Don's fabulous garden for dinner.
On one of Abbie's walks, she happened upon a great patch of blackberries, thimble berries, and red raspberries. We went back for some picking...can't pass up fresh berries on vanilla ice cream!
There is also a farm with impressive blueberry bushes - dad was the winner picking 3.15 lbs in less than an hour! I've never seen such mature bushes, they were LOADED with berries and looked more like trees. And much to George's delight, Aunt Sue made a yummy blueberry pie, and lets not dismiss the strawberry rhubarb pie either :) Yum!
In Cooperstown we visited The Farmer's Museum which is a life museum representing the 19th century. The kids got to milk cows, walk through the historic town, and enjoy the interpretive exhibits.
Uncle Jim has a knack for capturing great photos.
The Empire State Carousel - all the animals are hand carved! The skunk was my favorite.
This is the actual size of a pig that won the fair one year. Eventually his ankles broke from his weight and they had to put him down.
All this fun and I haven't even gotten to playing on the lake which was an everyday occurrence!
Abbie, Sara, Mac, Steph, George, David, & Alethea swam the 1-mile across Otsego Lake.
During the swim, Sadie kept watching them through the binoculars saying "C'mon friends take a quick smile!"
Sara & Steph - the swimmers patrol guard while making the 1-mile swim.
Everyone needs a spot like this to eat during the summer!
The Cute Seesters :)
The rocks along the shore work wonders for body paint.
Mini Sasquatch on the loose!
Lots of canoe and kayak adventures...Mac & Abbie purposefully swamped the canoe out where they couldn't touch to see if they could right it...
Sadie the shameless nudist.
Cookouts - fresh corn on the cob, shish kabobs, and of course roasting marshmallows every night over the fire.
Night dips - helped the children sleep sounder :)
Mom, Liz, Sadie, & Alethea pre-bed party.
'We made a point to gather round and sing before bed each night...a favorite was Senor Don Gato.
The Lewis Family - August 2010
What an amazing get-away. A special thanks to Sue & Don and also my parents for helping us all get out there to create these fantastic memories! It couldn't have been more perfect
8 comments:
That's it! I am so homesick for the Lewis/Bates/Melling family i could die. Tell Abbie and Alethea hello!!! I miss them. Your mom and her sister look so much like each other! I loved this adventure. The memories, the night swims, the marshmallows, the games of pounce. AHH you are so lucky!!!!
So great!!! It looks like so much fun!!! ps... I love Sadie's hair!
Ah, that looks like it was fabulous!
Liz, Thanks for sharing the pictures. It was so nice to be with the whole family. We look forward to hearing your October news! Best to you and George. Beth Drake
Liz, seeing you pregnant is the cutest thing. You are really cute. I miss your family. You all have the same smile. Sadie is too cute, I can't even handle her.
That looks like so much fun! You're such a cute pregnant mama, even though I know you probably don't feel like it. I totally forgot we both have Sarah, Lizzy and Abby in our families and still thing it's so weird!!!!
can i please join your family now? talk about traveler, look at you go! I'm so glad you could all get together and have such fun, and I love all the little family "traditions" you guys have. If i can't join your family, can I at least take lessons? Miss you!
Your family is the BEST! That looks like so much fun. I love that there are still postcards from your dad on the wall. That's so romantical! Honestly. And I adore Sadie's curls. She is adorable! The shamelss nudist. How fun. I wish I could have been there! I love you!
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